To prevent postgraduate medical seats from going unfilled, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has reopened the option for NEET-PG 2025 candidates to change their nationality status from Indian to Non-Resident Indian (NRI) before the third and final round of counselling. This move aims to broaden eligibility and ensure that existing seats are filled, without creating new seats, expanding quotas, or altering merit lists. The conversion window is available from January 15 to 17, 2026.

The MCC's decision to allow this conversion is motivated by the persistent issue of vacant NRI seats even after eligibility expansions. Unfilled seats are eventually converted back to non-NRI seats and offered to general candidates, preventing them from being wasted. According to officials, the primary goal is to prevent the wastage of PG seats, rather than to change rankings or increase the number of seats available.

The process for converting from Indian to NRI status is strictly regulated. Only blood relatives up to the second degree can sponsor a candidate, and they must provide mandatory affidavits, proof of relationship, and evidence of financial capacity through NRI bank accounts. Applications are thoroughly vetted by third-party agencies, and a significant portion are rejected due to incomplete or invalid documentation. Candidates applying for NRI seats in NEET PG must also submit NRI status proof of sponsor, passport and visa copies, Embassy or consulate verification, sponsorship affidavit, and relationship certificate.

The MCC continues to reserve and allot NRI quota seats until Round 4, which provides late applicants or new NRI conversions with a final opportunity to secure seats in premium branches like Radiology, Dermatology, or Medicine in Deemed Universities.

Candidates whose category is converted from Indian to NRI will have that change remain final and applicable for all subsequent rounds of NEET PG counselling from round 3 onwards. It's important to note that candidates converted to NRI status cannot avail benefits under Muslim Minority quota, Jain Minority quota, and any other reserved category. The MCC may cancel provisional seat allotment and initiate legal action against the candidate if any submitted document is found to be fake or incorrect.

NEET PG rank is mandatory and plays a crucial role, as NRI quota seats are allotted strictly based on merit within the eligible NRI category.

This latest development highlights the complexities of NEET PG counselling, where understanding quota-specific eligibility, documentation standards, and round-wise strategy can unlock opportunities.